21 January 2026 – During his appearance at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, U.S. President Donald Trump once again emphasized the security-related importance of Greenland. Trump presented the Arctic island as a central strategic area for the defense of North America and the Western alliance, pointing to its geographical position between North America and Europe as well as to the growing security significance of the Arctic. Against the backdrop of climate change, new shipping routes, and increasing activities by Russia and China, he stated that Greenland plays an important role in early-warning systems, missile defense, and military logistics. Trump made clear that, in his view, the United States considers an increased security engagement in the region to be necessary. At the same time, he expressed expectations toward allied partners, particularly Denmark, with regard to security responsibility for Greenland. In this context, Trump referred to the historical role of the United States, which since the Second World War and during the Cold War had made a significant contribution to the military protection of Greenland and the North Atlantic region. From his perspective, this responsibility continues to exist to this day. Trump explicitly ruled out the use of military force but emphasized that talks and negotiations are necessary in order to address the security challenges in the Arctic.
19 January 2026 – In recent days, tensions surrounding Greenland have continued to intensify. The immediate trigger was a series of repeated statements by US President Donald Trump, who reaffirmed his demand for stronger control by the United States over the Arctic island and once again raised the prospect of applying economic pressure on international partners. In Washington, officials emphasised that, from the US perspective, Greenland plays a central role in national and collective security in the Arctic region.
At the same time, European NATO states adopted clearer positions. Denmark and several allies signalled, both in internal consultations and public statements, their willingness to expand the military presence in Greenland on a long-term basis. The aim, they said, was to demonstrate Europe’s capacity to act in the Arctic while also making clear that security-related issues concerning Greenland should be addressed within existing alliance frameworks and with full respect for the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark.
In diplomatic circles, Trump’s rhetoric was increasingly interpreted as a strategic attempt to apply pressure that goes beyond mere symbolic politics. Observers noted that the repeated setting of timeframes by the US president, combined with linking the Greenland issue to trade policy instruments, pointed to a deliberate escalation strategy. At the same time, it remained unclear which concrete steps Washington is actually prepared to take in the short term.
Overall, an increasingly polarised picture has emerged: while the United States has continued to sharpen its security-related claims regarding Greenland, European NATO partners have moved closer together and stressed the importance of multilateral solutions. Greenland itself, meanwhile, remained the object of international power projection during this period – without its political future being concretely renegotiated.
17 January 2026 – U.S. President Donald Trump once again put pressure on international partners, suggesting that countries which do not support stronger U.S. control over Greenland could face punitive tariffs. The Republican justified his remarks by citing the United States’ strategic and security interests in the Arctic.
16.01.2026 – Denmark and several European NATO allies are seeking a more permanent military presence in Greenland in order to strengthen security in the Arctic region. Denmark’s defence minister said that, alongside reinforced Danish forces, allied troops from countries such as Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Finland and the Netherlands are to be deployed on a rotational basis, as a sign of European resolve amid rising geopolitical tensions in the Arctic.
09.01.2026 – Donald Trump says he wants to secure Greenland – “whether they like it or not”
U.S. President Donald Trump has reiterated his demand that the United States take active steps regarding Greenland and, if necessary, also take tough measures to bring the strategically important island under its control. “We will do something regarding Greenland, whether they like it or not,” Trump said at a press conference at the White House, according to multiple media reports. Trump justified his tough rhetoric by arguing that Russia or China could take over the island if the United States did not act. “We don’t want Russia or China as neighbors,” he said, adding that while he would prefer an agreement – “the easy way” – “if we don’t do it the easy way, then we’ll do it the hard way.” When asked about a possible purchase price for Denmark, Trump said he was not talking about money at the moment, “but maybe later.” Trump described control over Greenland as a U.S. national security priority and argued that the existing American military presence was not sufficient to guarantee long-term security. He stressed that the territory must be owned, not just defended. Denmark and European allies continued to react with outrage to Trump’s statements, emphasizing that Greenland’s future must be decided solely by its population and the Kingdom of Denmark.
06.01.2026 – U.S. President Donald Trump has once again stated that Greenland represents a “national security priority” for the United States. This was announced by the White House in a written statement reported by Reuters. The statement was issued in response to several questions from the news agency. “President Trump has made it clear that the acquisition of Greenland is a national security priority for the United States,” the statement said. It went on to say that this is crucial in order to deter adversaries of the United States in the Arctic region. The statement also noted that Trump is discussing with his team various options for pursuing this “important foreign policy objective.” “And of course, the use of the U.S. military is always an option available to the Commander-in-Chief,” the statement continued, according to Reuters.
06.01.2026 – Stephen Miller reiterates hard U.S. position in CNN interview
Stephen Miller, husband of Katie Miller and a close adviser to Donald Trump (Deputy Chief of Staff), reaffirmed the U.S. government’s stance on the Greenland issue in an interview with CNN late last night. In the interview, Miller openly questioned the legal basis on which Denmark claims Greenland and further asked how Greenland came to be a Danish colony. Miller stated that since the beginning of the current Trump administration – and already during Trump’s first term – it has been the official position of the United States that Greenland should be part of the American security architecture. While he explicitly rejected the idea of a military intervention, he added at the same time that “no one will fight the United States militarily” when it comes to the future of Greenland. Miller justified this position by arguing that, as the leading power within NATO, the United States needs control over Greenland in order to secure the Arctic and protect the alliance’s strategic interests. He dismissed statements by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen suggesting that everything would come to a halt if the United States were to attack another NATO country. The U.S. correspondent for Danish public broadcaster DR interprets Miller’s remarks as a clear signal that this is not merely rhetoric, but a firm component of U.S. government policy. While the interview does not represent a new level of escalation, it underscores that Washington is pursuing its ambitions regarding Greenland in a long-term and consistent manner-regardless of objections from Denmark or Greenland.
05.01.2026 – On board Air Force One, Donald Trump initially declined to speak about Greenland.
Asked by a journalist whether he intended to “take action” on the Greenland issue, the US president avoided giving a direct answer. “I don’t want to talk about Greenland. I want to talk about Venezuela, Russia, Ukraine,” Trump said. However, the topic did not entirely let go of him. Shortly afterwards, Trump returned to the issue himself and pointed to a notable timeframe. “We will deal with Greenland in about two months. Let’s talk about Greenland in 20 days,” he said, without explaining why he mentioned that specific period. Substantively, the president once again underlined his security-policy arguments. From the US perspective, Greenland is of central importance to national security. “We need Greenland for national security reasons,” Trump said, claiming that the region is currently filled with Chinese and Russian ships. At the same time, he voiced doubts about Denmark’s role. Denmark would not be able to meet the security challenges in Greenland, Trump said. Mockingly, he added that Denmark had recently increased security by adding “one dog sled.”
“That’s true. They thought that was a good move,” he told the assembled journalists. Trump also brought the European Union into his argument. “The EU needs us to get it,” he said, referring to Greenland. “And they know that.” When and in what form the United States intends to pursue the Greenland issue further remains unclear. What did become clear, however, is that despite his initial reluctance, Trump continues to attach great strategic importance to the Arctic island.
04.01.2026 – Provocative Greenland post causes diplomatic irritation
A social media post by Katie Miller triggered international criticism on 3 January 2025 and reignited geopolitical tensions surrounding Greenland. Miller is a U.S. communications consultant who, during Donald Trump’s first presidency, worked among other roles as a spokesperson at the Department of Homeland Security and within the office of then Vice President Mike Pence. She is still considered part of the Trump-aligned political camp. Miller is married to Stephen Miller, one of Donald Trump’s most influential and controversial advisers, who played a key role in shaping U.S. immigration policy.
On the platform X, she published an image of Greenland overlaid with a U.S. flag and the word “SOON”.
The post was widely interpreted as a provocative hint, echoing earlier statements by Trump, who repeatedly expressed strong interest in Greenland. Although the post was a private publication, it was perceived as a political signal due to Miller’s background and public profile. Criticism followed swiftly from Denmark and Greenland. Diplomatic representatives emphasized Greenland’s territorial integrity and its status as a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. The tone of the post was described as inappropriate and as disregarding political realities as well as the interests of the Greenlandic population, according to diplomatic sources.
The post on X has been removed again.